Saturday, December 4, 2010

I was heading to Norman, Oklahoma to see the Bruce Goff- A Creative Mind Exhibition, more about that later, and was running about an hour early for the Friends of Kebyar (see http://www.friendsofkebyar.com/) reception at an exquisite Bruce Goff designed home in Oklahoma City. I decided to go west to Edmond, OK , about 12-15 miles and check out the Hopewell Baptist Church...built in 1948 with help from experienced welders from nearby oil fields. I had heard a non-profit group had formed to save and protect the church and I wanted to see what condition it was in...

As you can see the "Oil-Rig" architecture has seen better days.A recent hail storm (up to softball sized) left its mark as it did throughout the area.

I know it doesn't look like much now , but it has great possibilities and represents Goff's work utilizing found items. The sanctuary had lighting made by Goff from tin pie pans.Below: Classic Bruce Goff detailing in the spire and skylight...

From Edmond, I proceeded to Oklahoma City and the Pollack-Warriner House (1957 & 1980). The owners have owned the house for many years and definately are at one with the house...

View toward entry through gate...I love the interplay of smooth against rough, solid and void, light and shadow and on and on...this house is a metaphor for creativity...the house is a square plan with the dramatic hip roofs defining the space within. The fiberglass roof on the upper deck over the garage/studio is a visual delight and a local landmark. Typically, water plays a role in Goff's design... I can't help but think of the Fred Jones Art Museum where the Bruce Goff Exhibition is, designed by Hugh Newell Jacobson, his "villages"...similarities in concept...?

Below: Entry to the left

The dark green and off-white marble tile looks great in person and reflects the square plan and diamond elements...

Below: My good friend David Milstead, Architect and Director on the Board of Friends of Kebyar, sporting one his great t-shirt designs. He was elated from spending the night in the Bavinger House the night before. You'll see the Bavinger House up close in a future post.

Above: Gate design is very cool and used for tables and benches in the yard.

Below: Early dusk effort to photograph indirect lighting and uplights in the blue glass cullets.

The evening reception was held at the Warriner's "No Name"Art Gallery in downtown Oklahoma City with great food, wine and company...it was great seeing old friends Tony Thompson, Eddie Jones and David Milstead among others and meeting/making new aquaintences. Below, Herb Greene listens and watches an internet presentation from India on preserving Nari Gandhi's work. He was an apprentice to Frank Lloyd Wright and took his influence back to India to realize some fantastic organic residences and buildings.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

This is your last chance to join us for this one time special presentation of Infinite Space. Infinite Space, a new documentary feature film, traces the lifelong quest of visionary genius John Lautner to create “architecture that has no beginning and no end.” It is the story of brilliance and of a complicated life – and the most sensual architecture of the 20th century.

Friday, October 29, 2010

I'm late in getting this post up! I thought I would show some random photos of the Marcel Breuer designed house we had on tour recently. Built in 1954 and still owned by the original owner this is a fantastic time capsule of a house featuring original Breuer designed furniture as well as other iconic pieces. The photos below show a seldom seen rear angle of the house and deck. Lucky to get these shots before approximately 100 attended the tour.

The photo below is a perspective study of a house being built down the street, inspired by the Breuer house.

The house featured below is the Bob Wendt designed and built house in Town and Country Estates in Prairie Village, KS. Constructed in 1961, this lavish and large 2 bedroom house was a wedding gift. It has incredible hardwood paneling and custom built cabinetry.

Walls of glass everywhere... below the new addition connects nicely with the original house.

Friends enjoying a great day for a Martini Modern House Tour and Party! Below, one of the owners talks about his experience in the house and construction of the addition. This was a great event with great people, great food, great martinis and great architecture!!

Monday, October 18, 2010

It is time to purchase your tickets for part 2 of the REEL Design Film Series.

KCMODERN has teamed up with the AIA Kansas City, AIGA – Kansas City, Kansas City APAas part of the Kansas City Design Alliance to bring this great film that will be of interest to all lovers of Mid-Century Architecture and Design!

Join us for a special presentation of Infinite Space. Infinite Space, a new documentary feature film, traces the lifelong quest of visionary genius John Lautner to create “architecture that has no beginning and no end.” It is the story of brilliance and of a complicated life – and the most sensual architecture of the 20th century.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Typeface focuses on a rural Midwestern museum and print shop where international artists meet retired craftsmen and together navigate the convergence of modern design and traditional technique.

Typeface, Kartemquin's latest documentary in progress, will bring this fascinating junction of historical and contemporary, as well as rural and urban America together for enjoyment and contemplation. This film will be of interest to art and graphic design enthusiasts, to teachers as an educational resource, and to anyone looking for a film about perseverance and preservation in the heart of America.

Monday, September 6, 2010

This home was designed by Roger Wilken, Architect and with certain adjustments suggested, built by Bob Wendt. This pin-wheel plan featured great indoor/outdoor views and multiple patios, with "japanese" steps down to them as he did in the Graves and Morgan houses, which are nearby. Around this time Bob complained about getting skilled craftsmen that could complete his plans with quality workmanship, often doing the work himself.

Below- Detail of chimney. Bob liked stone masonry and used it in most of his designs.

The house below is in Mission Hills, KS near 63rd and Aberdeen. Bob "loved a good gable" and this house is the ultimate example of that...a double gabled roof on the large public space and a gallery, low and private are for the bedrooms, walkout basement on the north side, with loads of light and a beautiful pool area with cabana. The "Barefoot Contessa" recently did a fundraiser/cooking show at this house ...

Below is Bob's own home built in the late fifties. In many ways it was an experimental house due to its unusual building components. We will be featuring some of these houses individually to show that Bob's work has merit and should be appreciated for his perfectionism in construction and design ability. A number of years ago I talked with Eugene Young, Architect and he told me a story about going to see Bob at his office behind the Westwood shops in the mid-sixties. He quoted Bob as saying "Architects don't like me because I'm not an Architect and Builders don't like me because I can design a good house and insure the quality of construction for an owner.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Robert Edward Wendt was born in Herington, Ks, 1924. After graduating high school he enlisted in the Army Air Corp in 1941 after bombing of Pearl Harbor. He served mostly on the island of Guam as the crew chief of a B-29 Bomber. When he returned from service he obtained his Architectural Engineering degree while working as Don Drummond's first foreman. While working with Don, Bob met Lloyd Roark, a prominent local architect. Roarke offered Bob the job of contractor and builder for a home he had on the drawing board. They worked on several jobs until Bob decided he wanted to design, draft and build from his own plans. His reputation and career evolved at that point. His brother Don a master carpenter came to work for him and did beautiful custom cabinet work. The house seen above and below was built for Dan Tyler in 1961.

Behind the stone walls that flank the entrance (below) are patios accessed from the bedrooms.

Long and low the house screams shelter and privacy...originally the large sliding glass doors opened to a large semi-circular aggregate patio.

Bob was never interested in building tract or speculative homes, only "Custom Built Homes for Owners" was what his signs and cards said. Most of Bob's homes were located in Prairie Village and Mission Hills, KS. These Homes (above and below) were built in Town and Country Estates.

This was the former home of Ray and Betty Pitman. The boomerang shaped home stretched across the corner lot. The clerestory addition on the left roofline came later. The pictures speak for themselves, this is a cool house...

The only homes Bob ever constructed for sale were also his last he ever designed and built. These two contemporay homes are located on a private cul-de-sac in Prairie Village, Ks near 67th and Nall. Plans and photos were featured in various magazines and publications, Both houses sold before they were built. The one shown below was the home of Dean Graves, FAIA. The other house was purchased by Myra and Jim Morgan, former owners of the Morgan Gallery. You might recall the large "yard-art" sculptures on the lot in front of these homes.